Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 24, 2026

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
06:59

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings

Published on: November 9, 2016

Home antipyretic use in children brought to the emergency department

M A McErlean1, J M Bartfield, D A Kennedy

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York 12208, USA. mcerlem@mail.amc.edu

Pediatric Emergency Care
|August 9, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Many children receiving antipyretics for fever at home are not given the correct dose. Demographic factors did not predict proper dosing in this study of pediatric fever management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Fever is a common symptom in children, often managed at home with antipyretics.
  • Accurate dosing of antipyretics is crucial for effective fever reduction and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the frequency of correct antipyretic dosing in children with fever managed at home.
  • To investigate if demographic factors are associated with proper antipyretic dosing.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, descriptive study involving 138 children aged 3 to 36 months presenting with fever.
  • Caregiver interviews collected data on demographics and antipyretic administration.
  • Statistical analysis, including regression modeling, examined predictors of proper dosing.

Main Results:

  • Of children receiving antipyretics at home (86%), only 47% received the correct dose.
  • No demographic variable was found to predict correct antipyretic dosing.
  • Home antipyretic dosing did not correlate with fever presence or temperature in the emergency department.

Conclusions:

  • A significant proportion of children receive incorrect antipyretic doses at home.
  • Demographic factors do not appear to influence correct antipyretic dosing practices.
  • Further research is needed to understand and improve home antipyretic administration.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Intrarenal Injection of Escherichia coli in a Rat Model of Pyelonephritis06:09

Intrarenal Injection of Escherichia coli in a Rat Model of Pyelonephritis

Published on: July 18, 2017

Esophageal Heat Transfer for Patient Temperature Control and Targeted Temperature Management06:43

Esophageal Heat Transfer for Patient Temperature Control and Targeted Temperature Management

Published on: November 21, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Increased Body Temperature01:25

Increased Body Temperature

A body temperature above  38°C  (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in response to an infection or illness.
Methods of reducing fever01:22

Methods of reducing fever

The signs and symptoms of fever include hot and dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Elevated body temperature is reduced using two methods: pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Proper identification and treatment of the root cause of a fever is of utmost importance.
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Decreased Body Temperature01:29

Decreased Body Temperature

A decreased body temperature can occur in patients with hypothermia and frostbite. Heat loss with extended cold exposure overpowers the body's ability to create heat, resulting in hypothermia. Core temperature readings help classify hypothermia. Mild hypothermia is temperatures between 32 °C (89.6 °F) and 35°C (95 °F) and is caused by impaired thermoregulation. Moderate hypothermia is temperatures between 28 C (82.4 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F) caused by sustained extreme cold exposure, and severe...
Acute Pharyngitis01:30

Acute Pharyngitis

Introduction
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:
Tonsillitis II: Management01:26

Tonsillitis II: Management

This lesson will focus on the different treatment options for managing tonsillitis, which typically depend on the cause and severity.
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...